Monday, February 28, 2005
iPod photo adds 30GB model, lowers price by $150
Last week, Apple refreshed its line of iPod photo digital music players with a new, slim 30GB model, replacing the previously available 40GB unit. The 30GB iPod photo debuts at US$349, $150 less than its 40GB predecessor. Apple also introduced the new iPod Camera Connector, which enables users to dump their photos straight from their digital camera to their iPod.
Jef Raskin, creator of the Macintosh, dies at 61
Jef Raskin, the lead designer of the first Macintosh computer and a pioneer in the development of user interfaces, died Saturday at age 61. He had been diagnosed recently with pancreatic cancer, his family said in a statement.
Internet Phone Service Latest Web Tax Battle
Prepare yourself for even more competition and choices in the telephone business. The Northwest's dominant cable company--Comcast--and largest phone company--Qwest--are branching into internet phone service.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Phoenix Suns big weekend
The Phoenix Suns Quentin Richardson made his final nine shots to capture the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, defeating defending champion Voshon Lenard and Kyle Korver in the finals. Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash set an all-time course record of 28.7 seconds as he won the 2005 PlayStation Skills Challenge. Suns forward Shawn Marion, WNBA Rookie of the Year Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix legend Dan Majerle ran away with the RadioShack Shooting Stars title, all on Saturday night at the NBA's annual All Star Weekend.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Criminals may have your personal info
Word of an identity theft case got out after ChoicePoint sent warning letters last week to people in California. ChoicePoint said it discovered a security breach in October, when the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department began investigating one case of identity theft.
The task force leader, sheriff's lieutenant Robert Costa, said the number of people vulnerable to identity theft in the case could reach 500,000.
That's a much higher number than the latest estimate acknowledged by ChoicePoint, which belatedly sent warning letters to a total of 145,000 people in various states after a chorus of complaints. Outraged, attorney generals from 38 states demanded that ChoicePoint warn any victims in their states as well. California is the only state with a law requiring disclosure of such security breaches to people whose identities are threatened.
An Alpharetta, Ga.-based spinoff from the credit-reporting giant Equifax, ChoicePoint maintains databases that hold 19 billion Social Security numbers, credit and medical histories, motor vehicle registrations, job applications, lawsuits, criminal files, professional licenses and other pieces of sensitive information. ChoicePoint also owns a DNA analysis lab and facilitates drug testing for employers.
But ChoicePoint and other privately owned aggregators of personal information operate with virtually no federal oversight, and critics say the companies haven't done enough to safeguard their information-rich databases.
"There's a serious problem that we as a nation don't seem to grasp — that the public is at risk whenever organizations collect massive amounts of information about us and they don't take extraordinary precautions to ensure that that information is protected," said Dr. Larry Ponemon, who runs a research firm in Tucson, dedicated to privacy management in business and government. "People ought to be standing in lines protesting this."
The task force leader, sheriff's lieutenant Robert Costa, said the number of people vulnerable to identity theft in the case could reach 500,000.
That's a much higher number than the latest estimate acknowledged by ChoicePoint, which belatedly sent warning letters to a total of 145,000 people in various states after a chorus of complaints. Outraged, attorney generals from 38 states demanded that ChoicePoint warn any victims in their states as well. California is the only state with a law requiring disclosure of such security breaches to people whose identities are threatened.
An Alpharetta, Ga.-based spinoff from the credit-reporting giant Equifax, ChoicePoint maintains databases that hold 19 billion Social Security numbers, credit and medical histories, motor vehicle registrations, job applications, lawsuits, criminal files, professional licenses and other pieces of sensitive information. ChoicePoint also owns a DNA analysis lab and facilitates drug testing for employers.
But ChoicePoint and other privately owned aggregators of personal information operate with virtually no federal oversight, and critics say the companies haven't done enough to safeguard their information-rich databases.
"There's a serious problem that we as a nation don't seem to grasp — that the public is at risk whenever organizations collect massive amounts of information about us and they don't take extraordinary precautions to ensure that that information is protected," said Dr. Larry Ponemon, who runs a research firm in Tucson, dedicated to privacy management in business and government. "People ought to be standing in lines protesting this."
Google Eyes Business Property in The Dalles
The Internet search engine, Google, has signed a preliminary agreement to buy 30 acres of industrial land at the port in The Dalles.
Wal Mart says no to health care assistance
Wal-Mart Fights Washington Health Care Bill
The US's largest retailer is fighting a proposal to require companies to foot the bill if their Washington employees are on the state's health plan for the poor.
The US's largest retailer is fighting a proposal to require companies to foot the bill if their Washington employees are on the state's health plan for the poor.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
U.S. Interceptor Missile Fails to Launch in Test
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Exercise Alone may Reduce Symptoms of Depression
A new study is the first to look at exercise alone in treating mild to moderate depression. Adults who participated in 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions three to five times a week had a 50% reduction in their depressive symptoms.
Brain-Damaged Woman Talks After 20 Years
AP - For 20 years, Sarah Scantlin has been mostly oblivious to the world around her — the victim of a drunken driver who struck her down as she walked to her car. Now, after a remarkable recovery, she can talk again.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Rescue Me
Satellites not only save lives by giving meteorologists advance warning of severe weather, but they were instrumental in the rescue of nearly 300 people in the United States last year alone.
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, and Russia's Cospas spacecraft work together as the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System.
Since 1982, the system is credited with more than 18,000 rescues worldwide and about 5,000 in the United States, mostly -- but not all -- water rescues: Another 38 hikers, campers and hunters were saved by carrying personal locator beacons, which became available in July 2003.
More information on the system is available at http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/.
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, and Russia's Cospas spacecraft work together as the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System.
Since 1982, the system is credited with more than 18,000 rescues worldwide and about 5,000 in the United States, mostly -- but not all -- water rescues: Another 38 hikers, campers and hunters were saved by carrying personal locator beacons, which became available in July 2003.
More information on the system is available at http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/.
OHSU scientists study ailments of autistic children
Oregon Health & Science University scientists hope to start searching this fall for health problems common in autistic children, part of a national effort led by a Lake Oswego group.
The Autism Treatment Network unites six health centers, including OHSU and the University of Washington, whose scientists will test ideas about autism-related diseases. The network not only wants to estimate how common such problems are, but also to create standards for treating autistic children nationwide.
Some doctors contend that treating medical problems may let autistic people lead more normal lives. They suspect that discomfort from other illnesses keeps some autistic children from focusing on education and behavioral therapy, the main treatments for autism.
The Autism Treatment Network unites six health centers, including OHSU and the University of Washington, whose scientists will test ideas about autism-related diseases. The network not only wants to estimate how common such problems are, but also to create standards for treating autistic children nationwide.
Some doctors contend that treating medical problems may let autistic people lead more normal lives. They suspect that discomfort from other illnesses keeps some autistic children from focusing on education and behavioral therapy, the main treatments for autism.
Health care bills land in Senate
Hospital rates in Oregon are increasing at three times the rate of inflation and health insurance premiums increased 14 percent last year.
In the Oregon Senate, Democrats unveiled a package of health care reform bills last week aimed at capping rising hospital, insurance and prescription drug costs.
The proposals, however, face an uncertain political future in the Republican-controlled House.
In the Oregon Senate, Democrats unveiled a package of health care reform bills last week aimed at capping rising hospital, insurance and prescription drug costs.
The proposals, however, face an uncertain political future in the Republican-controlled House.
Forsaken urns are finally due state's respects
Michelle Roberts : Oregonian
By the early 1900s, thousands of mentally ill patients had died anonymously inside Oregon State Hospital in Salem.
Today, the uncollected cremated remains of 3,490 of them are stored in corroding copper canisters. From ceiling to floor, they line dusty shelves near asbestos-abatement manuals kept in an abandoned hospital storage building.
On Thursday, Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said such "disrespect for the dead" won't stand, and he announced the creation of a legislative work group that will locate an "appropriate resting place" for the urns.
"When you see the cans and their condition and the room they're in, it is a stark commentary on how society views people in this situation and our whole mental health system," Courtney said.
"We're trying to get better, but we have so far to go."
In October, The Oregonian published photos of the copper cans, many of which are dented and fused together from decades of neglect. The photos were part of a series of stories examining unhealthy conditions at the 122-year-old hospital, which is home to more than 740 patients.
By the early 1900s, thousands of mentally ill patients had died anonymously inside Oregon State Hospital in Salem.
Today, the uncollected cremated remains of 3,490 of them are stored in corroding copper canisters. From ceiling to floor, they line dusty shelves near asbestos-abatement manuals kept in an abandoned hospital storage building.
On Thursday, Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said such "disrespect for the dead" won't stand, and he announced the creation of a legislative work group that will locate an "appropriate resting place" for the urns.
"When you see the cans and their condition and the room they're in, it is a stark commentary on how society views people in this situation and our whole mental health system," Courtney said.
"We're trying to get better, but we have so far to go."
In October, The Oregonian published photos of the copper cans, many of which are dented and fused together from decades of neglect. The photos were part of a series of stories examining unhealthy conditions at the 122-year-old hospital, which is home to more than 740 patients.
Silence
George Gedda : The Oregonian
Administration officials are beginning to discuss the possibility of referring the Noth Korea issue to the U.N. Security Council.
The objective would be to impose international sanctions to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to abandon his weapons program.
In Sapporo, Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi came down firmly against that idea Friday. He said economic sanctions against North Korea could end any possibility that Pyongyang might rejoin the six-nation talks and end any chance of their success.
Jack Pritchard, a Korea expert who left the State Department in 2003 because of disagreement with U.S. policies, said North Korea may have decided against resuming the six-party process because of the absence of positive U.S. signals recently.
In the second Bush administration, "the lineup is looking pretty bleak" for North Korea, Pritchard said. Rice included North Korea as one of six "outposts of tyranny," during her confirmation hearing three weeks ago, Pritchard noted.
He also said North Korea may have concluded that keeping its nuclear weapons may be the safest course. He pointed out that India and Pakistan have good relations with the United States and other nations despite the nuclear testing both carried out in 1998.
On the other hand, Pritchard said, the United States attacked non-nuclear Iraq in 2003. The sequence of events, he said, may fall into the category of "lessons learned" for North Korea.
Han Sung Ryol, a senior North Korean diplomat at the United Nations, urged a direct dialogue with the United States in an interview with a South Korean newspaper.
The United States said Friday it had no interest in resuming direct discussions on North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
Administration officials are beginning to discuss the possibility of referring the Noth Korea issue to the U.N. Security Council.
The objective would be to impose international sanctions to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to abandon his weapons program.
In Sapporo, Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi came down firmly against that idea Friday. He said economic sanctions against North Korea could end any possibility that Pyongyang might rejoin the six-nation talks and end any chance of their success.
Jack Pritchard, a Korea expert who left the State Department in 2003 because of disagreement with U.S. policies, said North Korea may have decided against resuming the six-party process because of the absence of positive U.S. signals recently.
In the second Bush administration, "the lineup is looking pretty bleak" for North Korea, Pritchard said. Rice included North Korea as one of six "outposts of tyranny," during her confirmation hearing three weeks ago, Pritchard noted.
He also said North Korea may have concluded that keeping its nuclear weapons may be the safest course. He pointed out that India and Pakistan have good relations with the United States and other nations despite the nuclear testing both carried out in 1998.
On the other hand, Pritchard said, the United States attacked non-nuclear Iraq in 2003. The sequence of events, he said, may fall into the category of "lessons learned" for North Korea.
Han Sung Ryol, a senior North Korean diplomat at the United Nations, urged a direct dialogue with the United States in an interview with a South Korean newspaper.
The United States said Friday it had no interest in resuming direct discussions on North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
Friday, February 11, 2005
All That Jazz
On Saturday, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom will play host to the creation of the historic “A Great Day in Portland” photograph recognizing the living history of Portland’s jazz community. Organized by Portland State University’s Leroy Vinnegar Jazz Institute (LVJI), with the generous support of McMenamins, “A Great Day in Portland” is inspired by the famous 1958 portrait “A Great Day in Harlem” and is the first project of its kind to document Portland’s jazz history. The photo will contain over 100 local musicians and the shoot is a private event.
Paying homage to Portland’s legacy as a vibrant jazz city, recognizing living members of Portland’s jazz family, and honoring those historic figures who made the creation of this valuable heritage their life’s work, the “A Great Day in Portland” photograph will be turned into an exhibit quality poster, available to the public, that will support the education and outreach programs of LVJI. The photograph and poster will be unveiled during Leroy Vinnegar Jazz Week May 1–7, 2005.
Paying homage to Portland’s legacy as a vibrant jazz city, recognizing living members of Portland’s jazz family, and honoring those historic figures who made the creation of this valuable heritage their life’s work, the “A Great Day in Portland” photograph will be turned into an exhibit quality poster, available to the public, that will support the education and outreach programs of LVJI. The photograph and poster will be unveiled during Leroy Vinnegar Jazz Week May 1–7, 2005.
Medicaid cuts trouble Oregon
The Bush administration's proposal to reduce Medicaid spending by $45 billion over the next decade could further damage the already besieged Oregon Health Plan, the state's social safety net, officials fear.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
New look
Decisions...
Apple G5s, KONA 2 powered production of Super Bowl
Fox Sports once again turned to AJA Video Systems and Apple to power the production of a major U.S. sporting event, this time Super Bowl XXXIX held last weekend in Jacksonville, Fla. Fox Sports has relied on similar technology from the same companies for production of the World Series broadcasts last year.
"After the success with the Apple G5 and AJA's KONA 2 for the World Series, we found this solution very appealing," said Jeff Court, vice president Remote Operations, Fox Sports.
According to the companies, Fox Sports used two Power Mac G5 systems with Final Cut Pro and AJA's KONA 2 in production trucks on-site. The G5s were used all week to edit footage and highlight packages and video from several sources were put into the G5s through the KONA 2 cards.
"After the success with the Apple G5 and AJA's KONA 2 for the World Series, we found this solution very appealing," said Jeff Court, vice president Remote Operations, Fox Sports.
According to the companies, Fox Sports used two Power Mac G5 systems with Final Cut Pro and AJA's KONA 2 in production trucks on-site. The G5s were used all week to edit footage and highlight packages and video from several sources were put into the G5s through the KONA 2 cards.
Dolly Scientist Gets Human Cloning License
AP - The scientist who attracted the world's attention by cloning Dolly the Sheep is about to take another major step for medical research: cloning human embryos and extracting stem cells to unravel the mysteries of muscle-wasting illnesses like Lou Gehrig's disease.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Baird and Hooley Critical of Proposed VA Budget
OPB News - Two Northwest congressional representatives held a roundtable meeting in Portland today with soldiers and members of the Veterans Administration. The democratic lawmakers criticized President Bush for failing to adequately fund the VA in his budget proposal.
Bush wants to spend $880 million on medical help for both soldiers returning from Iraq and veterans of former wars. But Democrats, Brian Baird of Washington, and Oregon's Darlene Hooley, say another $400 million is necessary in order for troops to be assured prompt and appropriate care.
Hooley calls the budget inadequate.
Hooley says veterans from other wars already have to wait months, if not years, for important operations. And--she says--those waiting lists are only going to grow as 4,000 soldiers return to the Pacific Northwest over the next three months.
"Somewhere around 40 to 50% of the people coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq, will have some kind of reintegration needs, whether that's depression, whether that's post traumatic stress syndrome, just adjusting to life back here."
Bush wants to spend $880 million on medical help for both soldiers returning from Iraq and veterans of former wars. But Democrats, Brian Baird of Washington, and Oregon's Darlene Hooley, say another $400 million is necessary in order for troops to be assured prompt and appropriate care.
Hooley calls the budget inadequate.
Hooley says veterans from other wars already have to wait months, if not years, for important operations. And--she says--those waiting lists are only going to grow as 4,000 soldiers return to the Pacific Northwest over the next three months.
"Somewhere around 40 to 50% of the people coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq, will have some kind of reintegration needs, whether that's depression, whether that's post traumatic stress syndrome, just adjusting to life back here."
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Blue
A group of school children observe an untitled work made of pure intense ultramarine pigment, part of the exhibition of French artist Yves 'Monochrome' Klein, at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, northern Spain. The exhibition, a retrospective of the brief but intense career of the influential French artist, began Tuesday and runs until May 2nd. REUTERS/Vincent West
Saturn
In this image released Thursday, by NASA/JPL, a mosaic of 35 individual infrared exposures made at the W.M. Keck Observatory, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, shows what scientists say are the sharpest views of Saturn's temperature emissions ever taken from the ground. The prominent hot spot at the bottom of the image is right at Saturn's south pole. The warming of the southern hemisphere was expected, as Saturn was just past southern summer solstice, but the abrupt changes in temperature with latitude were not expected. A small section of the ring image is missing because of incomplete mosaic coverage during the observing sequence. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL)
Friday, February 04, 2005
NIH Asks for Internet Access to Studies
Reuters - The U.S. National Institutes of Health, which spent nearly $20 billion last year funding research, urged scientists on Thursday to let the agency publish their studies on the Internet and added that taxpayers have a right to see the research they have paid for.
Researchers receiving NIH grants should send their manuscripts to a free, Web-based archive managed by the National Library of Medicine as soon as they can, after first submitting them to medical or scientific journals, NIH director Dr. Elias Zerhouni said.
"With the rapid growth in the public's use of the Internet, NIH must take a leadership role in making available to the public the research that we support," Zerhouni said.
The database will be available on the PubMed Central Web site at http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/.
Researchers receiving NIH grants should send their manuscripts to a free, Web-based archive managed by the National Library of Medicine as soon as they can, after first submitting them to medical or scientific journals, NIH director Dr. Elias Zerhouni said.
"With the rapid growth in the public's use of the Internet, NIH must take a leadership role in making available to the public the research that we support," Zerhouni said.
The database will be available on the PubMed Central Web site at http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/.
Some good news from Iraq
U.S. to Pull 15,000 Troops Out of Iraq
Buoyed by a higher turnout and less violence than expected in Sunday's Iraqi elections, Pentagon authorities have decided to start reducing the level of U.S. forces in Iraq next month by about 15,000 troops, down to about 135,000, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz said yesterday.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Wolfowitz also warned of "a very difficult road ahead" in defeating Iraqi insurgents and indicated that no further drop in U.S. troops was planned this year. Another senior Pentagon official said after the hearing that the initial decrease did not reflect an improved security situation in Iraq but was simply a recognition that the forces kept specifically for the election were no longer needed and could leave as previously scheduled.
Buoyed by a higher turnout and less violence than expected in Sunday's Iraqi elections, Pentagon authorities have decided to start reducing the level of U.S. forces in Iraq next month by about 15,000 troops, down to about 135,000, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz said yesterday.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Wolfowitz also warned of "a very difficult road ahead" in defeating Iraqi insurgents and indicated that no further drop in U.S. troops was planned this year. Another senior Pentagon official said after the hearing that the initial decrease did not reflect an improved security situation in Iraq but was simply a recognition that the forces kept specifically for the election were no longer needed and could leave as previously scheduled.
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